Tanya Slyter

Make-A-Wish volunteer, Tanya, has been volunteering for so long that she struggles to remember how long exactly.

“It’s been at least 15 years,” she said. “And I have learned so much in that time.”

One of the things that surprised Tanya about Make-A-Wish is the impact wishes have on a child with a critical illness. “The kids really do get better,” she said. “Wishes make such a difference. They give kids and families something to look forward to.”

Wishes replace fear with confidence, sadness with joy, and anxiety with hope. Research shows that a wish can give a child the emotional and physical strength they need to fight their illnesses.

“It’s such a happy thing during such a terrible time,” Tanya said. “They’re so excited when you come and they want to tell you everything they want.”

Not only that, but volunteers get a lot out of the wish experience too. Ninety-seven percent of volunteers report feeling more grateful and thankful in their lives after helping grant a wish.

“It makes me happy knowing that what I’m doing makes the kids happy,” she said. “Volunteers get more out of it than we put into it. It’s just so rewarding. You’re giving that child happiness.”